Team India toiled hard in their final training session ahead of the third Test against England scheduled to be played from Thursday, February 15 at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. While most of the players attended all three net sessions to prepare for the upcoming game, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah, who joined the team on Wednesday, February 14, didn’t attend the last training session.

Notably, Bumrah was a vital cog in India’s victory in Visakhapatnam during the second Test as he dismantled the England batting order in both innings. The speedster registered the second-best match-figures of his career of 9/91 which also fetched him the Player of the Match award.

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However, ahead of the third Test, several reports suggested that the seamer might be rested for the upcoming game. Since the second Test ended on Day 4 itself on February 05, both teams got a big nine-day gap to rejuvenate themselves for the remainder of the series. 

With a flat surface on offer in Rajkot, Bumrah’s services will be required by the team who will be expected to unleash his reverse swing in the middle overs to spark a collapse. Commentator Harsha Bhogle was also of the opinion that Bumrah should play in Rajkot and rest for the fourth Test in Ranchi which has historically been a spin-friendly surface.

However, him not practicing one day ahead of the game signals the possibility of him being rested for the third Test. The selection committee included fast bowler Mohammed Siraj for the remaining three Tests after earlier releasing from the second for the second game to manage his workload.

England add Mark Wood to playing XI 

In his absence, Mukesh Kumar failed to support Bumrah from the other end leaking 70 runs in 12 overs across two innings and picked just one wicket. Bengal seamer Akash Deep was also added to the team for the remaining three Tests in place of Avesh Khan who has been released for Ranji Trophy 2024 duties.

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If India decide to rest Bumrah in Rajkot, the remaining seamers will most likely not be able to replicate his magic on a lifeless surface which could well prove to be detrimental for the hosts. Meanwhile, England have once again announced their Playing XI one day ahead of the game and have included speedster Mark Wood in place of spinner Shoaib Bashir. With the series tied 1-1, the third Test could well decide which way the series is heading and India won’t be willing to rest Bumrah to let England breathe easy.

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